“There are way more parties and other exhibitors this year than last,” comments Austin magazine editor Deborah Hamilton-Lynne on Facebook. “Or is it just me?”
It’s not just you, Deborah. Trust me.
It feels like every empty building, surface parking lot, blocked side street or rentable venue buzzes with visitors to South by Southwest Film and Interactive. Just wait till SXSW Music joins the party.
Some, like the vast Viceland bash — staged inside and outside a city maintenance structure on East Cesar Chavez — required only a badge.
“What is this?” I ask at the Viceland entrance.
Gate girl: “Basically free drinks. A band plays later.”
Katie Ryan of Green Mountain and Matt McGinnis of Cohn Wolfe
Other affairs were more tightly scripted. The Texas Film’s door guards at Rivals Steakhouse closely scrutinized each aspiring guest. I don’t do door negotiations. And no, I’ve never demanded: “Don’t you know who I am?!”
More people hit the streets Saturday than on Friday, despite early drizzle. I’m guessing some of them gave up on the SXSW shuttles, which get caught in traffic with all the other cars.
Perhaps not surprisingly, I kept running into Austinites, including everywhere-all-the-time Jacob Stetson on the street. H told me about more delicious SXSW parties.
The Cohn Wolfe Stream reception on the Rattle Inn rooftop was one of my first destinations, in part because I received an actual personal invitation from Cohn Wolfe strategist and nightlife blogger Matt McGinnis. I’m always more comfortable showing up where I’m wanted.
Altaf Remtulla of New York City and Jamie Beckland of Portland, Ore.
There, I met Green Mountain communicator Katie Ryan, who raved about the American-Statesman’s down-to-earth, happy fitness warrior Pamela LeBlanc. She didn’t need to convince me.
Bonus: This Stream event included the always welcome sounds of Quiet Company. I talked to one of the band member about the odd-looking harmonium used to add an abbreviated keyboard effect. Turns out, one key was sticking this day. I didn’t notice.
Fantastic talking with nightlife empire owner Mart Luckie in front of Star Bar about industry and SXSW trends. We theorized on why some clubs and eateries survive year in and year out. He noted that the survivors are often old Austin hands who know when to hold and know when to fold.
The Austin Chronicle’s Kate X Messer had organized an LGBTQ meet-up at the Empire nightclub on East Seventh Street. These meet-ups are cool, short and focused on a particular SXSW population.
“Is Texas gay friendly?” Messer was asked by a visitor. “You bet,” Messer replied.
Shared an extended conversation with Jesus Martinez (WindowLikr), Matteo Cassese (Out as You) and Jacob Henderson (WindowLikr), who discussed the relative values of starting a tech venture — isn’t everybody? — in Austin, Los Angeles, New York or Berlin, Germany.
After cruising through the crowds outside the convention center, including a dancing slice of toast and a car furred up like a bunny, I hit SXSW South Bites food trailer again, trying the Johnsonville double bratsthe Butcher’s Son.
Jesus Martinez (WindowLikr), Matteo Cassese (Out as You), Jacob Henderson (WindowLikr)
The picnic tables at South Bites are good places to relax, catch up on messages and meet people digging into quintessential Austin casual cuisine.
As it grew darker, I headed to the BBC America tent in Brush Square, which filled to full capacity. Loud. Fun. Could have drifted into incivility. In a good way.
There I watched an extended Dr. Who electronica video mix. People were actually dancing. On beer alone. I like that.
The mechanical bucking bulldog is enduringly popular at BBC America tent. Threaded my way through the new development on San Jacinto Street — Hilton Place and sleek apartment tower among the newcomers.
Here, block-long lines formed for various pop-up parties hosted by tech companies. Not sure what they get out of it, but there’s an audience. And everywhere people talked about their work.
Overheard at SXSW: “It’s like the world’s best singles bar. All you have to ask is: ‘What are you working on?’”
After 5 #SXSW parties, my angry dogs barked back at me. Had put ‘em up. Most of my followers shared medical and psychological advice.
On Twitter, @SXSWproblems, called me quitter for retiring before 2 a.m.
Go ahead. Call me quitter. I’ll spend more time on the street this SXSW than most people a third my age.